Stature of the Garden of Eden then and now

One may wonder in our world today whether the Garden of Eden has any significance to the way we live. Well to borrow from the Christian apologist and author Ravi Zacharias, we can look at the differences between our world now, and the Garden of Eden at creation, to be able to draw relevance.

There are two basic differences between the Garden of Eden then and now. First, we note the presence of God in the garden. God’s presence was with Adam and Eve, and they lived in harmony with, in a perfect relationship, until Eve was tempted to eat the forbidden fruit.

Secondly, in the legal framework of the Garden of Eden, there was one prohibition and one temptation –not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

At the fall of man, God’s privilege to define good and evil is taken away, and the web of evil becomes apparently very complex. This has become the burden of the twenty first century man.

With many laws and thousands of footnotes each explaining another, the societal moral framework is distorted.

If man failed to keep one moral law in the Garden of Eden, how possible is it that he will keep thousands of laws and millions of footnotes?

When you board an airplane, for example, you are not just told not to tamper with the smoke detector, but you are also told not to touch it, disable it or destroy it – very many words describing one simple instruction.

Malcom Muggeridge, a renowned journalist, argues that it is difficult to resist the

conclusion that 20th century man has decided to abolish himself. He has created his own affluence and vulnerability out of his own strength. Man blows the trumpet that brings the walls of his own cities crashing down. Andrei Sakharov, the Russian physicist responsible for giving the Soviets the nuclear bomb, told his fellow political prisoners that he often thought that the most powerful weapon was the bomb. But he changed his mind, noting that the most powerful weapon in the world is the truth. Sir Winston Churchhill went further to say that truth, the most powerful weapon in the world, is most often protected by a bodyguard of lies.

So where is our hope?

The one place where evil, justice, love and forgiveness come together is on one hill called Calvary.

Unless we know the difference between what is lawful and what is legal, we will always be lawless, daily shifting moral principles on delicate matters such as marriage and life.

The world will then become a jumble of exceptions, with no rules. It is important to know God’s absolutes by demonstrating his love, and presenting his truth through the message of redemption and transformation.

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Psalms 14,53

Rev Canon Dr John Senyonyi

Vice Chancellor

The most wonderful thing in observable nature, to me, is the human body. I am fascinated each time I sit with a doctor and hear how the profession tries to make sense of our ailments.

Many doctors confess that our knowledge is only a minuscule bit of the untapped knowledge possible. One of the greatest discoveries in recent decades is deoxyribonucleic acid, otherwise abbreviated as DNA.

DNA carries information in a manner unlike anything imaginable, quite superior to the complex computers of our day. Think of the estimated 98.8 percent DNA similarity humans are said to share with chimpanzees. Someone asked, “How can we be so similar and yet so different?”. The answer is that the information in the 1.2 percent far exceeds that contained in the 98.8 percent!

The wonders of nature speak volumes. Paul claims rightly that God’s invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, in the things that have been made. This means that when we see what we see, our hearts get an eureka moment of recognition and exclamation!

We now get a glimpse into why the psalmist says, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’.” The fool sees and learns nothing. Yet it is telling that this self-conversation happens in the fool’s heart. True atheism thrives in the heart, not in what one says or does, though indeed these give vent to the heart. Many

profess faith in God; few know the solid confidence of a heart rested in the God who sent His Son to die for us.

Godlessness and wickedness are inseparable. It has been said, “If there is no God, all things are permissible”; we can do as we wish rather than as God commands. This is the next level of practical atheism. A godless foundation builds a corrupt life and an unethical society.

We need not wonder that churched people can live the life of the un-churched! It has been noted in some Western countries that the

rates of divorce for Christians and non-Christians compare favourably! It means the Christianity of many Christians makes no difference in their life. This is practical atheism.

There is an ongoing commission of inquiry into land conflicts in Uganda. I bet the evildoers being exposed identify themselves as religious people. The thievery of public resources in Africa meted out on ordinary citizens is not the work of irreligious people.

The psalmist tells us that in a godless community, justice is perverted; people take advantage of each other, and the weak become fodder for the more powerful. Public officers live for themselves; other people are their fruit trees where they gather produce for their upkeep.

The message here is clear: your life reveals your faith. A Christian may pass for an atheist if his life does not account for God in his heart and life. If Sunday

worship is irrelevant to your Monday through Saturday lifestyle, your Christianity is practical atheism. Jesus warned against calling Him, “Lord, Lord” while failing to obey Him in all of life – both private and public.

If the Church ceases to be salt of the earth and the light of the world, the world becomes tasteless and dark. The Lord pegged all hope of the world on Christians! Is that not an awesome responsibility? We are not at liberty to call for less.

Today, we must be disturbed that Christians think little of and rarely talk about sin. They are active in Church but really have no faith in God. If the rot begins among God’s people, nations are doomed. Societies and nations will lose their sense of goodness because their moral campus, the Church of Christ, has forsaken the God of Israel.

When you hear the word ‘rest’, it can mean going slow, relaxing or taking a break. Panic and anxiety do not solve anything but instead worsen any situation. So, the best you can do is to relax and take it slow.

The Bible encourages us to rest, although many Christians do not heed that advice. Here are five Bible truths about why one should rest.

Rest is livingby faith

It is absurd that faith has been misunderstood to mean that if you do not panic or act in an anxious way, then you are irresponsible. This is the wrong perception. Instead, we should cultivate the art of resting in the Lord.

The fact that one does not panic just shows that they have decided to place their faith in God. And remember, it is only God who is able to do exceedingly, above what one can ever do in one’s human abilities.

It’s not failure

Failure and rest do not have any connection. It is however common for many people to think that the fact that when one is relaxing, then they have completely failed or given up! The truth is that when you take a break, you will rejuvenate your body and mind and fresh ideas will begin to pop up.

Just imagine, if God rested during the time of creation, then why would you think that relaxing is a symbol of failure? It is a way of regaining energy!

Perfect peace

Isaiah 26:3 says that, “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you ….” The focus here is for us to keep our mind on God.

The more we focus on God, the easier it will be for us to accomplish various tasks.

When you decide to rest, you gain peace. This is evident in Exodus 33:14 when God assures the Israelites about his presence and peace, and of rest in Him.

In God’s perfect love

God is love. He is the perfect definition of love and the easiest way to recognise his love is by trusting in Him and living in His will. A few Christians are of the misconception that God is often angry with them.

Althoughit is true that he judges, at the same time he forgives when one repents.

The fact that He allowed His only Son to die for sinners shows that His love can never be exhausted. Choose to live in God’s will by finding rest in Him.

Cast your cares on God

Whenyou decide to give God all your burdens, you are implying thatHe is able to help you out.

However, when you decide to be anxious, it is one way of telling God that He is not doing enough to get you out of a given situation.

God is not human to forget His promises. Instead of being anxious, and complaining, it is better to cast your burdens on Him, God the beginning and the end.

Psalms 15, Exodus

33:12-16

Rev Canon Dr John Senyonyi Vice Chancellor

When my wife and I married, I soon realised the differences that exist between men and women are extensive! For example, she often wants to be complemented about how she looks before stepping out, while I put no emotional price tag to my appearance.

In the recent past we have lost three public figures: Mr Lawrence Mukiibi and Mr Ivan Semwanga, who had immense wealth, and our former student, Carol Atuhairwe. What is the legacy of each?

The two men apparently cared much about how they looked to the outside world, in death. They gave elaborate instructions about their funerals, making sure to receive flamboyant burials. Sadly, they have left scandal and controversy in their wake! In the public eye, they are a far cry from the picture they tried to portray in their lifetime.

Carol on the other hand attracted the nation with her shining faith. Whoever saw her beautiful smile, which really flowed from her faith, was enchanted by it. That is the way she looked, even in her suffering. She lived larger than this life and we all feel she is gone too soon.

So, which of these three lived a worthwhile life? David poses a question: Who shall sojourn in your tent … (or) dwell on your holy hill? This implicitly suggests the purpose of life, which is to be where God is; for there is no greater honour, no higher destiny. He sees dwelling in God’s presence as an exclusive experience, accessible to those with ‘a peculiar look’! When Israel sinned, God threatened not to go with His chosen people. Instead, He would give them an angel to cause them to inherit the Promised Land. However, Moses cried, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here”. He had obvious reasons for this.

God’s presence with us is the only fame that matters! “For how shall it be known that I have found favour in your sight … Is it not in your going with us, so that we are distinct..? Moses asks.

Moses feared losing his communion with the Lord, for God spoke with him “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend”. What a privilege!

All our toil is vain if God is not with us. Moses knew that his failure in leadership was guaranteed without God, and that living apart from God is not worthwhile.

Living in God’s presence is for those with ‘a peculiar look’, the people who order their life for His holy presence. One word summarises our qualification for it: integrity! God’s foremost concern is our character, not our frantic services.

That is why the Bible exhorts us to, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flows the springs of life.” We must be in secret what we appear to be in public; and it all begins with one’s heart.

Secondly, we need integrity of relationships. I recently heard this characterisation of someone, “I have never seen someone so difficult.”

Our relationships matter to God, and how we relate affects our prayers to Him. So, if a husband mistreats his wife, his prayers are futile. What is the state of your relationships?

Thirdly, we need integrity in the promises we make. Some Christians have a habit of promising to please; they speak to sound spiritual and caring. “I will be there for you. I will pray for you. I will …!”

Marriage vows are among the most serious promises we make and yet there is growing flippancy and apathy among young marrieds. Often this flows from their casual premarital relationships. But remember, God hates divorce. If we do not honour our marital vows or any other promise we make, we offer “the sacrifice of fools” promising what we do not mean.

Finally, we need integrity in our financial dealings. The things that have stumbled great men, including preachers, are: girls, glory and gold! Modern culture downplays promiscuity and dignifies self-glory but the consequences remain.

In particular, few can resist the allure of money. When relationships are based on financial gain, we take advantage of others and selfish gain takes centre stage. Money tempts us to want more, and the more we get the more we become hungry.

Who shall dwell on your Holy Hill? If you would live in God’s presence, I commend to you a life of integrity in all these areas. That is a worthwhile life; something that a flashy funeral cannot provide.

Early this month Vilma Achieng was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the National Basketball League playoffs after leading her side to winning the title.
She also won the best rebounder, top scorer and best centre in the Zone V Club championship where the team won bronze.
Achieng was born on 23, 1993, in Siayi County, western Kenya, to the late Joseph Owino and Rose Akinyi.
She went to Wera Primary School from 1998 to 2007 before joining Raliew Secondary School for her O-level from 2008-2011.
She previously played volleyball and football before she decided to concentrate on basketball.

Joining Lady Canons
Uganda Christian University (UCU) administration, with the help of an old friend and former Canons player, Robert Mugabe, advised her to join the Lady Canons despite her having wished to play aboard. She accepted the offer.
“While on the team, I began improving as a player each day and built a lot of personal confidence,” she said of her acceptance.

Awards
In 2015, Achieng was named the MVP in that season’s National Basketball League. After consulting teammates, Coach Nicholas Natuhereza made her captain.
In 2014, she had also been voted the league’s top scorer and best rebounder. under her leadership, Lady Canons have managed to win the championship for three years in a
row (2015-2017).
Emmanuel Kiguyi, the Lady Canons tactician, says Achieng is an amazingly gifted
sportsperson who has grown as a player and leader in the past few seasons.
“I think she has finally become comfortable and confident in her role as a team leader and I am confident there is more to come from her,” he says.
on any given night, he says, she is capable of being the most dominant force in Uganda women basketball if she puts her mind to it and this is the next challenge she has to take on.
She was impressed for having won the MVP but is now focusing on the new challenge ahead, she said, when contacted.

Academics and sports
She says advanced preparations help her to balance the two.
Despite having many other achievements, Achieng who is on a full sports scholarship plans to play professional basketball outside the region.
She is a student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education.